The Five Levels of Motivation

When I was building my first business, >75% of my motivation was driven by powerful extrinsics (Level 2).

First, I feared that my family wouldn't have enough money. My dad had passed away suddenly, my mom had retired, and I had no idea how much money resided in the Lieberman household.

All I could visualize were bills flying off our money pile & nothing replacing it. So, during my final interaction with my dad, I said to him, "I'll take care of our family, you don't have to worry."

It's impossible to express how much of a fire that lit under me.

Second, I had a massive chip on my shoulder from being bullied for 8 years straight as a kid. From 5th to 12th grade I never felt smart, I never felt attractive, I never felt belonging. I so badly wanted to prove that I was worthy & business became my vehicle for doing so.

Then I sold my business & everything changed.
My motivation went from a 12/10 to a 2/10 & I was lost AF.

It took me a year of meandering reflection, but I came to the conclusion that fear-based motivation is wildly effective, but it can be short-lived & doesn't create sustained happiness.

Obvious, but sometimes you gotta experience lessons to learn them.

Once money & sense of self were no longer concerns, the associated motivation evaporated.

I was left empty, directionless, and uninspired.

As I've found my footing, a large part of my path forward has depended on my ability to shift from level 2 (extrinsic motivation) to levels 3 & 4 (intrinsic & play/creativity).

Today, as I build companies (and really approach anything in my life), I ask myself two qualifying questions before giving a "hell yea."

1) Does this make me feel more or less like 3-year-old Alex? (read: full of play, curiosity, and wonder)
2) Will the pace & type of learning be intoxicating?

This form of motivation may be less intense than that which drove me to take care of my family & prove the haters wrong, but I'm willing to bet my happiness on the slower burn.